Giant-Killers in Waiting: Eastleigh FC Draw League Two Side Shrewsbury Town in FA Cup First Round
Eastleigh FC's Spitfires will host Shrewsbury Town in a historic first-ever meeting between the clubs — and the whole region is watching.
The Draw is In — and It's a Cracker
Eastleigh FC are through to the Emirates FA Cup First Round proper, and they've been handed a mouth-watering home tie against League Two outfit Shrewsbury Town. The match is set for the weekend commencing Saturday 7th November, and for fans in our corner of Hampshire, this is the kind of fixture that gets the blood pumping.
This will be the first time the two clubs have ever met in any competition — making it a genuinely historic occasion at the Silverlake Stadium.
How They Got Here
The Spitfires didn't have it easy in the previous round. They had to dig deep to see off Brentwood Town, edging a thriller 3-2 at home to book their place in the First Round proper.
That kind of hard-fought win speaks volumes about the character in this squad. When the going got tough, Eastleigh stood firm — and now they've earned the right to test themselves against a Football League side.
Who Are Shrewsbury Town?
Shrewsbury Town are a seasoned Football League club currently competing in League Two — two divisions above Eastleigh in the football pyramid. They play their home games at the Montgomery Waters Meadow in Shropshire, roughly 150 miles north of the Silverlake.
On paper, the visitors have the pedigree advantage. But the FA Cup has a glorious habit of tearing up the formbook, and Eastleigh playing at home in front of their own supporters is no small thing.
This is exactly the kind of game the FA Cup was invented for.
What We Know — and What We Don't Yet
The official date and kick-off time for the fixture are yet to be confirmed, so fans will need to keep an eye on the club's channels for the final details. Ticketing and hospitality arrangements are also still to be announced.
What we do know is that demand is likely to be high. A League Two side rolling into the Silverlake for a proper cup clash doesn't happen every season — and supporters from across Eastleigh, Hedge End, Chandler's Ford and beyond will want to be there.
Get your diary pencilled in now, because these tickets won't hang around.
What Happens Next
Eastleigh FC are expected to release official ticketing and hospitality information ahead of the 7th November weekend. Once the exact date and kick-off time are confirmed by the FA, the club will update supporters accordingly. For a non-league side, reaching this stage and hosting a Football League opponent at home is a genuine milestone — and if the Spitfires can pull off a result, the name of Eastleigh FC will be ringing out across the national back pages.
Watch this space.
Source: Spitfires set to take on Shrewsbury Town at home in FA Cup First Round